Potato prices have risen sharply in Chuka Town, with traders attributing the increase to reduced supply from major producing areas and high transportation costs.
Traders said potatoes supplied to Chuka are mainly sourced from Meru, Narok, Naivasha and Nyandarua, where unfavourable weather conditions have affected production and reduced supplies from farms.
Kathomi Riungu, who operates Kalulu Stores, said a 90-100 kilogramme bag of potatoes that previously retailed at about Sh4,000 now costs between Sh6,500 and Sh7,500, depending on the source.
Riungu said the rising cost of transportation has further increased the price of potatoes in Chuka, as traders incur high expenses transporting the produce from farms to the market.
“Transport costs have considerably contributed to the increased potato prices, making traders pay more to transport potatoes from the farms to Chuka, forcing them to increase their selling prices,” she said.
Joy Gacheri, an employee at Vanka Stores, said consumers were feeling the impact of the rising prices, with some households reducing the quantities they purchase.
“A kilogramme goes for Sh80, which is putting many households under pressure,” said Gacheri, adding that the popular Shangi variety is among the more expensive varieties in the market.
She said a 90-100 kilogramme bag of Shangi potatoes currently costs between Sh7,200 and Sh8,000, depending on the prevailing market prices.
Gacheri noted that increased transportation costs were also eating into traders’ profit margins, while some customers were opting to buy smaller quantities due to the high prices.
Meanwhile, Rael Gatwiri, who runs Kariche Stores, said potato prices were higher compared with last month and the same period last year, mainly due to reduced supplies.
“The shortage is being felt even at the farm level, where farmers have fewer potatoes available for sale,” Gatwiri said.
She, however, expressed optimism that prices could decline in the near future if supplies from Narok increase, noting that farmers from the region were expected to bring larger quantities of potatoes to the market.
The traders warned that potato prices could remain high if shortage of rainfall persists leading to low potato supplies from major producing areas.
by Stella Mwebia/Yvonne Gatugi
Potato prices hit the roof in Chuka
